Buy/Sell/Trade User Rating System (aka eBay Style User Feedback Hack)

Buy / Sell / Trade User Rating System (aka eBay Style User Feedback Hack)

Standard Disclaimer:
BACKUP YOUR DATABASE & FILES BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THIS HACK!!!

Description:
This is a rating system for when members buy / sell /trade items from each other. It is based on the honor system since there is no way to truly tell if they did engage in a transaction. However I created this system because it was a pain to try and maintain a single thread listing good / bad traders and so far has worked out quite well.

Key Features:
- Rate Member Positive/Negative/Neutral
- Specify Buyer, Seller, or Trade
- Leave comments about the deal
- Records date when rating created
- Specify a URL to the deal
- Admins & Super Mods can delete ratings (just incase)
- Pagination (Just for Mist )

Current Version: v1.11
There are instructions in the zip for upgrading from 1.0 -> 1.1
*Note*, I forgot the change of templates "faq" & "faq2" (added as steps 19 & 20), thats why I uploaded v1.11, otherwise everything is the same as v1.1 (If you don't want the little FAQ part, just remove the FAQ link in the getinfo template below the rating stuff)

Tested On vBulletin Version: 2.2.9, 2.3.0
(should be compatible with all versions, very simple stuff)

To Do List: (Last Edited: 05/01/03)
- Send user an email when feedback is left for them
- Allow the user who received the feedback to comment on the feedback left for them. (For Neutral/Negative Feeback Only)
- Allow optional time limits for how often you can rate someone
- Allow all columns to be sortable ASC/DSC
- create a sort of wall of fame / shame (check this thread) for more info
- have a link so you can find out all the people you rated (and how you rated them)

Additions & Changes:
1 File Uploaded
1 Table Added
1 Table Changed
3 Files Changed
10 Templates Added
5 Templates Changed

Credits:
I can't take the entire credit for this hack, while I did have the idea in my head for a while, I took bits and pieces of code off of the User Ratings hack written by EXCHANGE.

Also I would like to give a big thanks to all the members at the Extreme Overclocking Forums that helped me test out this hack as well as give me suggestions for additions and improvements.

Like My Hack?:
If you like this hack and are currently using it, please click the INSTALL button. You will receive updates in your e-mail, whenever I add new features (or fix bugs). Also any comments / suggestions are welcome. Your opinions help make it a better hack!

Sites Currenly Using This Hack:
(If you would like your site listed, please let me know so I can add it to the list!)
forums.extremeoverclocking.com
www.sportscardforum.com
www.honda-acura.net
www.graphcal-illusions.com
www.7thgencivic.com/forums/
www.vb-host.com
www.planetwrx.com

[eoc_Jason]

Excerr -

This is just a real quick thing I threw together, it works, but I'm sure if I sat down and thought about it I could do it better (which I will in v1.2). I tried posting the code in the page but it messed up the parenthesis and stuff so I'm attaching a file... just 3 steps...

I think when I release 1.2 I'm going to have to change the date field to a full datetime field so that you can fine tune your limiting thing, but also for sorting purposes...

[ImportPassion]

what I would like to see is, u have to put a valid thread or post id for the rating of the transaction and verify that the user was part of the transaction. Maybe include something in the post for the seller that they click on a button to say this is the buyer. then ur script could verify against it.
Reason being, ppl are getting rated for stuff that never happened and putting bad remarks. Abusing it more or less.

Derek

[ExcErr]

thank you very much.
v1.2? when it will be ready? i'm waiting for it, great.

[eoc_Jason]

I can verify threadid, but actually verifying people is a whole different issue. One problem arrises, say the person selling the item never shipped it, and thus the buyer gave them bad ratings... If I made it so the seller entered a field with the persons name, the seller might choose not to do it (or even might forget to do it). Another scenario is members who deal but through PMs and not an actual formal thread...

That's why I'm starting to think it might be better to just create the full blown auction / classifieds rather than keep doctoring up just the current ratings...

On my forum I really don't have a problem with members abusing it, they all are pretty honest.

Another idea would be if a member abuses it, set an option in their profile so that they can't rate (or be rated)... would that be a possible solution you think?

Jason

Today at 08:38 AM 7thgenCivic.Com said this in Post #52
what I would like to see is, u have to put a valid thread or post id for the rating of the transaction and verify that the user was part of the transaction. Maybe include something in the post for the seller that they click on a button to say this is the buyer. then ur script could verify against it.
Reason being, ppl are getting rated for stuff that never happened and putting bad remarks. Abusing it more or less.

Derek

[atomic fireball]

Jason, this is one awesome hack.

I'm new to vBulletin, and even I was able to install this hack with ease, and it worked like a charm. Excellent work!

I do have one seriously minor suggestion in that perhaps in the popup that shows the user's feedback there could be a header or footer that has somethign generic like, "How to leave feedback" and a link to the FAQ. The only reason I suggest this is that I assume many users will only see the feedback number next to the Trader Rating, click it, and wonder how to leave feedback. Having the answer right there would answer a lot of questions.

Once again, great work on this hack!

[atomic fireball]

Jason, I made one change to my board's version of your hack by creating an "add.gif" to replace the "go.gif" which appears on the user profile. (On the profile, since the "go" is placed next to the optional URL, it may appear that this means 'go to the url'), so I just wanted people to be sure that that's the icon to click to add the feedback. [I also had to change the "go.gif" to "add.gif" in the newly created "getusertradeinfo_rating" template.]

Since I created this icon anyway, I just upped it here in case anyone else wants it.

Thanks again for the excellent hack!

[eoc_Jason]

atomic fireball:

Yeah, add would be more appropriate, but I tried to reuse as much standard vB stuff as possible to minimize the cutomization. But yes, very sweet little button.

As for the popup window, yes that is a good idea, I'll add something like that in v1.2, it's simple enough...

I'm actually starting to think maybe it shouldn't be a popup, but a full page, with the rating submission boxes at the bottom of the list of ratings... I dunno, I'll have to tinker with it on my own site and see how it looks...

[atomic fireball]

Jason, I hear ya. The less necessary add-on graphics the better. However, if you want to have one other small eBay like feature that would be really nice, it would be a simple star icon placed next to the user's trader level (or on his/her profile) with a different colored star for each level they reach. (Similar to eBay.)

If you are busy and need somone to make any graphics or whatever, I'll be happy to pitch in.

Thanks again for the excellent hack!

[ImportPassion]

That is possible, but with almost 8000 users, I would have to rely on users to tell me. Rather have it all automated if possible.

D

Yesterday at 09:50 AM eoc_Jason said this in Post #54
I can verify threadid, but actually verifying people is a whole different issue. One problem arrises, say the person selling the item never shipped it, and thus the buyer gave them bad ratings... If I made it so the seller entered a field with the persons name, the seller might choose not to do it (or even might forget to do it). Another scenario is members who deal but through PMs and not an actual formal thread...

That's why I'm starting to think it might be better to just create the full blown auction / classifieds rather than keep doctoring up just the current ratings...

On my forum I really don't have a problem with members abusing it, they all are pretty honest.

Another idea would be if a member abuses it, set an option in their profile so that they can't rate (or be rated)... would that be a possible solution you think?

Jason

[eoc_Jason]

7thgenCivic.Com - I would like to have it automated too, however any time you rely on a user having to input something, you run the risk of false info... There is just not any way I can see reliably to link a buyer and seller from a normal thread...

However, don't give up hope. I posted in the vBay thread that I would like to take on the idea of the project and create an "eBay Lite" add-on for vB. I call it lite because it will have the same core functionality, just strip off some of the pay value-added stuff like highlight your listing, or featured auctions, etc... Creating this system will allow a user to post an item & pictures, create it either as an auction style, or a fixed price, choose a category or categories, etc... The other members can bid or choose to buy the item. Then you have fixed and tracked the buyer, seller, and actual transaction. You can then link that to allow feedback afterwards...

This system I just described I think would fit better for people who want something more that just the basic feedback hack that I have created in this thread. I'm guestimating a month or less for full development and testing before something is released. I already got a couple offers for help in the other thread for starting up this project.

I will continue to develope out this hack though (trader ratings), for people that want something light and simple to implement, but for some of the features that you people want I think would be better suited if you wait for "vBay" to be released...